Grand Rapids First Time Home Buyer’s Market – Some of the best in the country

Did you know Grand Rapids is one of the top 10 markets in the nation for buying a home if you’re a millennial.

The Grand Rapids market is ranked as one of the best “purchase markets” in the U.S. for “aspiring millennial homebuyers” to become homeowners, according to a study released last month by the National Association of Realtors, or NAR. The study only considered “leading-edge millenialls” between the ages 25-34.

The association, which is considered the largest trade association in the U.S., analyzed the job creation, population trends and housing conditions in 100 metro areas that have a noted millennial presence.

Millennial market

Since the housing market crashed at the beginning of the great recession, first-time homebuyers have been largely absent from the housing market. Now that trend is changing however, Grand Rapids is one of the markets leading the way for housing independence within many from the generation that have found themselves moving back in with their parents.

In the Grand Rapids market, the share of millennial movers to movers of any age is 26.60 percent, and the share of millennials to the total population is 13.80 percent.

“Millennials will eventually settle down, trade their roommates for spouses and want to raise a family,” said Steve Brown, NAR president and co-owner of Irongate Inc., Realtors in Dayton, Ohio. “As long as median income continues to support purchasing power in most areas, the demand and opportunity will be there for millennials to purchase their first home.”

Seven of the 10 cities that made the the association’s cut are either in the Midwest or the West.

Austin and Salt Lake City are highlighted for excellence in job growth and affordable housing prices.

“Limited job prospects, student debt and flat wage growth have combined with tight credit conditions and low inventory to price millennials out of some of the top cities, such as New York and San Francisco,” said Lawrence Yun, chief economist, NAR. “However, NAR research finds that there are other metro areas millennials are moving to, where job growth is strong and homeownership is more attainable. These markets are well-positioned to soon experience a rise in first-time buyers as the economy improves.”